Aoraki Disaster: US Climber One of Two Killed on New Zealand’s Iconic Peak
A U.S. climber was among two people killed Monday during a fall near the summit of Aoraki, New Zealand’s tallest peak, authorities confirmed Wednesday. According to The Associated Press , the men were part of a…
A U.S. climber was among two people killed Monday during a Fall near the summit of Aoraki, New Zealand’s tallest peak, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
According to The Associated Press, the men were part of a four-person climbing group attempting the notoriously challenging mountain, also known as Mount Cook.
Two members of the group were rescued by helicopter late Monday night after a distress call was received. The remaining two could not be located, prompting overnight aerial searches.
Their bodies were discovered Tuesday morning, and specialists from rescue organizations and government agencies later recovered them, Police Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker said.
“No identities have been released publicly at this stage,” Walker said, confirming that one of the deceased was from the United States. Authorities are coordinating with the U.S. consulate, and a New Zealand coroner will investigate the deaths.